WASHINGTON (CNN) - A new national poll suggests that one of out of five Americans think that Dick Cheney is the worst vice president in American history.

Twenty-three percent of those questioned in a CNN-Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday say that Cheney is the country's worst vice president, when compared to his predecessors. Another 41 percent feel that Cheney is a poor vice president, with 34 percent rating him a good number two.

Only 1 percent of those polled say that Cheney is the best vice president in U.S. history.

"On the Sunday talk shows, Cheney took on the job of making the affirmative case for the Bush legacy," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "But the messenger may be getting in the way of the message."

Cheney steps down as vice president on January 20. He will be succeeded by Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

He will leave office as one of the most powerful vice presidents in history. He played a crucial role in many of the Bush administration's crucial policies and was a major proponent of using and expanding executive powers.

"Cheney still has a lot of fans in the Republican party. Most Republicans nationwide said Cheney had been a good veep," Holland adds. "But six in ten independents and eight in tem Democrats gave Cheney a rating of 'poor' or 'worst ever.'"

In interviews this past weekend, the vice president said he was not troubled by polls that suggested he was unpopular and he was critical of those who spend too much time reading surveys.

The CNN/Opinion Research poll was conducted Friday through Sunday, with 1,013 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

soundoff(233 Responses)

One would expect your vice president to be a statesman and a diplomat. Cheyney is neither he's a thug.

December 22, 2008 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |

Dennis

Cheney is a greedy power monger. He's guilty of murder and war crimes. He and his monkey should be held accountable.

December 22, 2008 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |

NEL E BELL

quote, to get involved in a ground war for bagdad would be a endless campain. fast foward to 2003, dead enders and 25million new democrat's, oops members of democracy. Hummm, guess Haliburton didn't have Dick, on the payroll then.

December 22, 2008 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

james

34% say he was a good VP? Wow!

December 22, 2008 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |

Dan, TX

Cheney is the poster boy for the arrogance of the Bush administration. Bush did the best he could, he just reflected the poor choice of America in electing him, it's not his fault he was incompetent. It is our incompetence for electing him..

We as a country deserve what we get if this is true. I hope people were just confused with too much Christmas cheer or so apathetic that they couldn't think...

December 22, 2008 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

DavidinCA

Anymore, it's all about smooth talking and showmanship... kind of a popularity contest. Dick Cheney is not all about that for sure, but he addressed the tough issues with integrity, stayed true to his ideology and didn't sell out for his own gain. Thank you Vice President Cheney for your honest, hard work! I wish I had that same confidence in Joe Biden, but he has a chance to earn it.

December 22, 2008 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |

reggie

Come on CNN. Your polls are always so skewed. Cheney has done fine job as VP.

Don't you mean the worst "President"? He was the one making all the decisions. I hope to someday hear the amount of money this bastard made on the blood of our and our ally troops in Iraq. Oil and Halliburton is the real reason we went to war in Iraq. No bid contracts, securing the oil industry for the Saudi's are just the tip of the iceberg. I hope I live long enough for the real truth to come out. Of course, I don't think we'll ever see him prosecuted, or any of the administration's illegal shenanigans that have gone on for the past 8 years. For sure Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Gonzales should all be prosecuted and in jail......Bush was just the dumb puppet they propped up in the White House. What a bunch of corrupt, gangsters. Blagojevich looks like tiddly winks when you comparie what these players did...oh, and lets not forget Rove.

December 22, 2008 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

Joe the Troll

Take THAT, Aaron Burr!

December 22, 2008 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

Henri Jules

In France they say that Cheney is "sans etat d'ame" he has no soul or no regret for everything. that's pretty bad. No wonder why Biden doesnt feel sorry for him, but as Biden I feel sorry for Bush. I think he surrounded himself with a bunch of incomptent and idiot. Too bad for him though... it's too late now!

December 22, 2008 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

John Anthony

ONLY ONE IN FIVE? He is certainly the most crooked, arrogant, and uncaring! He makes Agnew look like a choirboy, and he should be tried and convicted in The Hague for his shenanigans!

December 22, 2008 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

Ms. B in California

I don't know exactly what he did in the first place. Outside of being a clown and a cronie for Bush, what is it exactly did he do? Believe me, I am no fan of anybody in the Bush administration.

December 22, 2008 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

Dominic

I am so glad that Cheney will be exiting the Vice Presidential office in January. This man has wiped his feet on the Constitution of our country. I cannot imagine a more reckless, immoral human being. It will be nice to have Biden as Vice President- someone who RESPECTS the rights and laws of our country, instead of trying to find ways to break them and get rich in the process. Cheney is a disgrace.

December 22, 2008 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

William

Only one in five? Astounding. What are the other 80% smoking? That man is evil incarnate.

December 22, 2008 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

Ed, Santa Fe, NM

oh? name another vice president who was a WAR CRIMINAL.....

December 22, 2008 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

Dennis

He certainly is THE WORST VP our country has ever experienced. The only ones that reaped any rewards from him was Halliburton and the oil companies.

December 22, 2008 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Jim Jam

All Dick had to do was support McCain to make his numbers drop, and he is the last person I can think of, who I would want to mention my name in any context.

With any luck, he will face charges for the VP he has been...

December 22, 2008 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

S Callahan

Wow..I didn't even have to 'think' about that...He is,and WAS.
He may think there is not a God to be accountable too...but whoo to him who has to account for the poverty he encouraged, the blood that was shed,the maimed, the homelessness and hunger his actions caused, the deciet in Science; ....the list goes on for miles....and he is just "one" man...HOW did America let him have this power or influence??? Will he ever sleep soundly?

December 22, 2008 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Farrell, Houston, Tx

Cheney would have gotten rid of Bush if he had the power to do so. Look at how many top ranking officials resigned because of Cheney and his attorney.

December 22, 2008 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

John Q

This is the creep who doesn't care whose back he has to walk on to benefit personally. We can only hope that someones pace maker doesn't have a Duracell.

December 22, 2008 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Matt

Only 20%? What in tarnation? I think that might be the last straw. Our country is now officially tropical thunder rainman retarded.

December 22, 2008 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

Cary Lacayo

Dick doesn't have the slightest hint of feeling moved by what the people have declared by percentages. Heck, he is getting ready for his lovely retirement. It's all about him, himself and his...He will be fine don't you worry, a millionare awaiting his long awaited time off from all of that hard work he has put in as vp...

Maybe I'm being to harsh on the guy who has demonstrated to the people based on the polls that he is the one and only VP who is concerned excessively or exclusively with himself. Seeking or concentrating on his own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others...